Experiments with Flame Propagation in a Channel with a Single Obstacle and Premixed Stoichiometric H₂-Air

Abstract

Results of an experimental study of flame propagation in a 100 mm by 100 mm cross section and 1500 mm long open channel with a single obstacle (BR = 0.9) are presented. The gas mixture in the experiments were 30%vol H ₂ in air. Both perpendicular and angular light were used for schlieren photography. The study included how point and distributed ignition source affected the flame propagation and pressure buildup. The main objective was to investigate whether the flame propagation could be simplified with a two-dimensional assumption for CFD simulation purposes. Flame front inversion was seen in the experiments, and after inversion it never turned back to the original shape again. After the inversion the flame could not be considered two-dimensional. A visible boundary layer grew in front of the flame as it inverted.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to thank the keynote speakers at the 3rd and 4th European Summer School on Hydrogen Safety (ESSHS) for their valuable comments. They would like to thank T. Skredtveit for the construction of the experimental setup and L.S. Ekornroed for help in the lab. This work was supported by the Norwegian Research Council, RENERGI, and The Norwegian Defence Estates Agency.